Packaging Manufacturing Technician

PIM Brands; New Jersey; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

PIM Brands in New Jersey is seeking an experienced packaging operator/line lead to oversee high-speed equipment, changeovers, and preventive maintenance, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time production. You will collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to drive improvements and mentor operators.

Candidate will uphold GMP, participate in continuous improvement initiatives, and contribute to reliable line performance and overall manufacturing excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of manufacturing, packaging, maintenance, or technical operations experience.
• Experience operating high-speed automated packaging equipment and performing changeovers.
• Familiarity with GMP, quality systems, and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all production line activities during the assigned shift.
• Lead line startup, shutdown, changeover, and recovery activities.
• Monitor production performance, downtime events, and operational priorities.
• Support troubleshooting and rapid resolution of operational issues.
• Maintain adherence to safety and quality standards.

Skills

High-speed packaging operation

Line lead responsibilities

Troubleshooting

Continuous improvement

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Maintenance management systems

Job description

Do you love snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you’re looking for! At PIM, we make the brands you love. Our portfolio of products, from Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise.

Duties And Responsibilities

Advanced Equipment Operation

• Operate and monitor high-speed automated packaging equipment to achieve production, quality, and safety objectives.
• Start, operate, troubleshoot, adjust, and shut down equipment in accordance with established operating procedures.
• Monitor machine performance, operational parameters, alarms, and process controls to ensure optimal operation.
• Maintain awareness of production schedules, equipment conditions, and operational priorities.
• Respond to equipment faults, process interruptions, and operational issues in a timely manner.
• Optimize machine performance to achieve throughput, efficiency, waste, and quality targets.
• Support startup verification following maintenance, changeovers, equipment modifications, and production interruptions.

Equipment Changeover Ownership

• Independently perform complete product and packaging changeovers on designated equipment.
• Remove, install, adjust, and verify all required tooling, format parts, guides, rails, and machine components.
• Configure machine recipes, operating parameters, and equipment settings.
• Perform line clearance and setup verification activities.
• Execute startup validation checks following changeovers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve startup issues affecting equipment performance.
• Document all changeover activities in accordance with company procedures.
• Drive initiatives to reduce changeover duration and improve equipment availability.
• Lead best-practice development for changeover execution and setup efficiency.

Preventive Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform designated Preventive Maintenance (PM) activities on assigned equipment in accordance with maintenance schedules and procedures.
• Complete routine inspections, lubrication, adjustments, component replacements, calibrations, cleaning activities, and equipment condition assessments.
• Document PM activities accurately and completely within maintenance management systems and required documentation.
• Identify equipment wear, deterioration, reliability concerns, and potential failure points before equipment breakdown occurs.
• Escalate maintenance issues requiring advanced repairs or specialized technical support.
• Support equipment reliability programs through proactive maintenance activities.
• Participate in equipment condition monitoring and predictive maintenance initiatives.
• Verify equipment readiness and operational performance following completion of PM activities.
• Assist Maintenance teams during major maintenance events, overhauls, and repair activities.

Reliability and Technical Ownership

• Serve as the primary technical owner for assigned equipment and related processes.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of equipment operation, setup, mechanical systems, controls, and production requirements.
• Analyze downtime trends, recurring failures, and performance losses to identify improvement opportunities.
• Participate in root cause analysis activities and implementation of corrective actions.
• Develop recommendations to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
• Support troubleshooting efforts involving mechanical, process, and operational challenges.
• Monitor equipment performance metrics and identify emerging reliability concerns.
• Promote proactive equipment care and operational ownership practices.

Engineering, Maintenance, and Continuous Improvement Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, and Continuous Improvement teams to improve equipment performance and manufacturing processes.
• Participate in capital projects, equipment upgrades, equipment installations, and commissioning activities.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), qualifications, and validation efforts as required.
• Collaborate on process optimization initiatives and equipment enhancement projects.
• Provide operational expertise during equipment modifications and engineering evaluations.
• Assist with development and revision of standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, and technical documentation.
• Participate in Kaizen events, Lean Manufacturing initiatives, TPM programs, and Operational Excellence activities.
• Support implementation of new technologies and equipment improvements.
• Collect and provide operational performance data to support engineering and continuous improvement efforts.

Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Drive initiatives focused on improving OEE, throughput, quality, reliability, and equipment utilization.
• Identify and implement opportunities to eliminate waste and reduce production losses.
• Support TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) and Autonomous Maintenance programs.
• Participate in structured problem-solving and root cause investigations.
• Champion best practices related to equipment operation, setup, maintenance, and reliability.
• Mentor operators and technicians on equipment optimization and technical skills.
• Contribute to continuous improvement roadmaps and strategic manufacturing initiatives.

Tishma Operator / Line Lead Responsibilities

• Coordinating all production line activities during the assigned shift.
• Serving as the primary communication link between Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, and leadership teams.
• Leading line startup, shutdown, changeover, and recovery activities.
• Monitoring production performance, staffing effectiveness, downtime events, and operational priorities.
• Supporting troubleshooting and rapid resolution of operational issues.
• Driving adherence to safety, GMP, quality, and production requirements.
• Supporting operator development, coaching, and technical training.
• Maintaining ownership of overall line performance and execution.

Quality, Compliance, and Documentation

• Maintain compliance with GMP, food safety, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and company procedures.
• Complete production and maintenance documentation accurately and in real time.
• Perform required quality inspections and verification activities.
• Maintain product traceability and batch record accuracy.
• Support audits, investigations, deviations, CAPAs, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all equipment activities comply with validation and quality requirements.

Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all company safety policies and procedures.
• Utilize required PPE and maintain safe work practices at all times.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions, equipment hazards, and environmental concerns.
• Participate in safety observations, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support development of a proactive safety culture.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and operated safely and within established safeguards.

Training and Technical Leadership

• Serve as a technical resource for Packaging Operators, Floaters, Utility personnel, and Packaging Operator Technicians.
• Train and mentor employees on changeovers, equipment operation, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and best practices.
• Assist in qualification and certification of equipment operators.
• Support development and standardization of technical training materials.
• Promote technical knowledge sharing and continuous workforce development.

Performance Expectations

• Safe and efficient operation of advanced packaging equipment.
• Successful execution of changeovers and preventive maintenance activities.
• Equipment reliability, uptime, and OEE performance.
• Reduction in unplanned downtime and recurring equipment failures.
• Technical ownership and continuous improvement of assigned equipment.
• Effective collaboration with Engineering, Maintenance, and Continuous Improvement teams.
• Compliance with GMP, quality, safety, and operational standards.
• Development and mentoring of less experienced operators and technicians.
• Contribution to long-term manufacturing performance, reliability, and operational excellence.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical degree, industrial maintenance certification, vocational training, or equivalent manufacturing experience preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5+ years of manufacturing, packaging, maintenance, or technical operations experience.
• Demonstrated expertise operating high-speed automated packaging equipment.
• Proven experience independently performing equipment changeovers and preventive maintenance activities.
• Experience supporting TPM, reliability programs, Lean Manufacturing, or Continuous Improvement initiatives preferred.
• Experience collaborating with Engineering and Maintenance teams in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, temperature variations, and moving equipment.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear required PPE and GMP-compliant attire.

Additional Responsibilities

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. The incumbent is expected to assume additional responsibilities, projects, assignments, cross‑training activities, and operational support tasks as required to meet business needs and organizational objectives at the direction of leadership.

Awards & Accolades

• #10 Candy Company in North America
• #26 Global Candy Company
• Makers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in U.S.
• 2024 Advocate of the Year Award
• Recognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development 2024
• Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine 2024
• Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC Market
• Top 50 Employer in New Jersey

PIM Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer

PIM Brands is an e-Verify Employer